Blizzard!

A blizzard watch has been issued for the coastline from Hull southward, including the Cape and islands. A winter storm watch is in effect from Boston to Worcester to Lowell. The storm will make its closest pass on Sunday morning. Before the storm reaches our area it will drop a foot or more of snow in Washington, Philly and NYC. A blizzard warning is already in effect for Long Island, NY.

What is a blizzard? the official is at least 3 hours straight of snow, winds of 35 MPH+ and visibility less than 1/4 of a mile.

Winds:

Cape and islands: Sustained of 30-40 with gusts to 60 MPH. These winds are capable of downing power lines and trees.

South shore: 20-30 with gusts to 50 MPH.

Boston and north shore: 15-25 with gusts to 45 MPH.

Inland: Breezy, with gusts over 30 MPH in some spots.



Timeline for Saturday night:

5PM: Snow reaches the Cape; however it may start as a mix on Nantucket.

10 PM: Snow reaches the Boston area.

Midnight: Snow reaches NH border.

1 AM onward: Snow, heavy at times along with very strong winds.

2 PM: The snow tapers off along the coast.


Amounts (inches): There will be a very sharp cutoff of the heavy snow extending from the north shore southwest to Framingham just north of Worcester. North of that line, less snow will fall.

12-16+: South of a line extending from Plymouth to Taunton including most of the Cape and the Vineyard, but maybe a bit less on Nantucket and the outer cape because of mixing with rain. It is possible that some spots come away with 20 inches.

8-12: South of a line extending from Gloucester to Worcester. It does include the immediate Boston area. Areas like Lincoln, Medford, Stoughton, and Walpole. 9 or 10 inches should fall in JP.

4-8: North of the Gloucester to Worcester line. Areas like Lowell, Haverill, Littleton, Harvard,

2-4 Orange to Leominster to Lawrence.

less than 2: In NH.

Local forecast:

Tonight: Clear, remaining very cold. Lows in the single numbers in most areas to 15 Downtown.

Saturday: Becoming cloudy, high 30. Snow arrives from south to north,

Saturday night and Sunday: Near steady temp in the mid to upper 20's. Otherwise, follow timeline.